Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police has achieved unprecedented success in its anti-narcotics drive, destroying ganja cultivation worth Rs 1,444 crore and seizing contraband worth Rs 1,346 crore between January 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026.
The police also arrested 654 interstate narcotics traders and seized 1,862 litres of ganja oil, brown sugar, and codeine-based cough syrup.
DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania attributed the success to the police’s well-planned strategy, stating that the mafia network has been dismantled. The drive was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ initiative and Home Minister Amit Shah’s 15-point guidelines. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s leadership also played a crucial role in the success.
The Odisha Police will launch a state-wide special campaign against narcotics from April 1, 2026, aiming to completely eradicate ganja and other narcotics from the state within the next three years, said DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania.
According to a release issued by the Odisha Police, ganja cultivation and smuggling were prevalent in Naxal-affected areas, serving as a lucrative source of income for Naxals. However, the Odisha Police’s relentless efforts have led to a 50% reduction in ganja cultivation in districts like Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput. The Naxal groups, once active in 12 districts, are now limited to 2-3 districts.
A record 48,160 acres of illicit ganja cultivation, valued at over Rs 1,444 crore, was destroyed across the state between January 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026. In 2025, 670 cases were registered, and seven persons were arrested, with 29,493 acres destroyed. In 2026 (up to February 28), 357 cases were registered, and 28 persons were arrested, with 18,667 acres destroyed.
A total of 2,69,166 kg of ganja, valued at over Rs 1,346 crore, was seized across the state. In 2025, 1,389 cases were registered, and 1,991 persons were arrested, with 1,95,130 kg seized. In 2026 (up to February 28), 217 cases were registered, and 343 people were arrested, with 74,036 kg seized.
The police also seized 20 kg 690 gm of brown sugar, valued at over Rs 41.7 crore, in various operations. A total of 445 cases were registered, and 910 people were arrested. In 2025, 352 cases were registered, and 719 people were arrested, with 18 kg seized. In 2026 (up to February 28), 93 cases were registered, and 191 persons were arrested, with 2 kg 690 gm seized.
The police also cracked down on cough syrup trafficking, seizing 1,01,755 bottles and arresting 236 people. In 2025, 69 cases were registered, and 203 people were arrested, with 78,969 bottles seized. In 2026 (up to February 28), 10 cases were registered, and 33 people were arrested, with 22,786 bottles seized.
Notably, the Koraput district police recently busted a ganja oil manufacturing unit, seizing over 1,800 litres of hashish oil valued at Rs 200 crore and over 1,000 kg of ganja worth Rs 5 crore. The unit was destroyed, and 4 accused from Kerala and 3 from Odisha were arrested.
In 2025, 60 litres of ganja oil were seized, and 11 people were arrested. The police have taken strong action against narcotics, destroying 67 tonnes of ganja seized in 634 cases over the past 2 years. Additionally, 1 kg 16 gm of brown sugar was destroyed in 3 cases. Under Operation Prahar, 339 cases were registered, and 487 people were arrested, with seizures including 12,736 kg of ganja, 2,185 gm of brown sugar, and 5,468 bottles of cough syrup.
In 2025, 60 litres of ganja oil were seized, and 11 people were arrested. The police have taken strong action against narcotics, destroying 67 tonnes of ganja seized in 634 cases over the past 2 years. Additionally, 1,016 gm of brown sugar was destroyed in 3 cases. Under Operation Prahar, 339 cases were registered, and 487 people were arrested, with seizures including 12,736 kg of ganja, 2,185 gm of brown sugar, and 5,468 bottles of cough syrup.
In 2025, 60 litres of ganja oil were seized, and 11 people were arrested. The police have taken strong action against narcotics, destroying 67 tonnes of ganja seized in 634 cases over the past 2 years. Additionally, 1,016 gm of brown sugar was destroyed in 3 cases. Under Operation Prahar, 339 cases were registered, and 487 people were arrested, with seizures including 12,736 kg of ganja, 2,185 gm of brown sugar, and 5,468 bottles of cough syrup. Over ₹10 crore worth of assets belonging to narcotics traffickers were also seized. K-9 sniffer dogs trained by STF are aiding surveillance at major railway stations and bus terminals.
In 2025, 60 litres of ganja oil were seized and 11 arrested. The police destroyed 67 tonnes of ganja from 634 cases and 1,016 gm of brown sugar from 3 cases. Under Operation Prahar, 339 cases were registered, 487 arrested, with seizures of 12,736 kg ganja, 2,185 gm brown sugar, and 5,468 cough syrup bottles. Over ₹10 crore assets were seized. K-9 sniffer dogs are aiding surveillance at major transport hubs.
Over Rs 10 crore assets of narcotics traffickers were seized. K-9 sniffer dogs aid surveillance at transport hubs. Odisha Police emphasizes awareness and rehabilitation alongside enforcement. There are 52 de-addiction centres (41 central-funded, 11 state-funded) across 29 districts. These centres provide free treatment and vocational training for 15 (central) and 30 (state) individuals. 19,395 people have been rehabilitated.
Awareness campaigns continue in schools, colleges, and public spaces to keep the state drug-free. Odisha Police urges citizens to cooperate in building a drug-free society and report suspicious activities to local police or helpline numbers. Strict action is being taken against habitual offenders, including NSA and PITNDPS Act provisions. 16 proposals have been sent to the state government, with 2 cases processed under PITNDPS Act, resulting in two arrests.
